I know this has been out in Australia and such...

[Nick]

Is it a good read in the Scarecrow series, I have read all 4 (have this one ready to be downloaded to my nook on 1/3/12) and rate them in the following order (although I enjoyed all 4):
1. Ice Station
2. Scarecrow
3. Area 7
4. Hell Island (a little too over the top for me though which I know is par for the course with the Scarecrow novels...)

[Joy]

Just finished it & think perhaps the best of the series, although still very over the top.

[Richard]

Ice Station was the most fun, maybe because it was the first. I found I couldn't remember much of Scarecrow or Area 7, but I know I liked them. Riley filled in the blanks where necessary though as events from Scarecrow and Area 7 became plot points

Army of Thieves was a rollicking read. The further over the top it went the more I enjoyed it, but i am forgetting it already.

It had a great early joke the first time Scarecrow used his Mag Hook which made me laugh out loud

Riley mentions he has already written a new book, set in the 1500's. I'll read it. I can't do the Jack West books, but Temple and the Scarecrow books are tremendous fun

[Jackmeister]

Army Of Thieves was awesome, I love how Mr Reilly filled in some background on Scarecrow, the whole book from start to finish was fast paced and action packed, which is what we now expect for a Scarecrow book.

[Stephanie]

fantastic, i luv matthew reilly! his novels are always non-stop action packed!

[Emma]

Really enjoyed , though the title is a bit naff. This one is as over the top as his others, which is why I love a good Matthew Reilly book, but some of the gruesome scenes where more gruesome than usual. Absolutely loved Mother in this this book and hoping that we will see the return of Baba and Bertie in the future.

[Gopal]

Matt Reilly is really upping his game with each book of the Shane Schofield series. Personal loss, loss of confidence and early setbacks, Scarecrow overcomes everything life throws at him with panache and still kicks ass.

The story line is not just over the top but it is out of this world. As far as villans goes, Scarecrow meets his match with the nemesis in this one. Extreme weapons, extreme villans and a extreme hero, the novel packs a not just a punch but a KO.

Wish somebody would make a movie out of the books, imagine all that action in its full glory... Wow, just wow!!!!

[David]

I honestly hated this one. Ice station was brilliant, the following 2 and short story (hell island) were good but this latest was utter crap. I cant say why I felt like that but I honestly couldnt wait for the book to end, so much so that half way through I jumped to the end just to finish it. It is IMO far and away Reilly's worst book.
I think i'l go back and read Temple just to remember how awesome Reilly's writing used to be.

[Tash]

I've read all of Matthew Reilly's work. I still think Ice Station is his best and I've read it at least six times.
Given his recent personal tragedy though, I wonder if we'll see anything new from him for a long while.

[Kelly]

Have you read it yet Nick? I think it would probably rank above Area 7 for me, below Ice Station but I actually liked Scarecrow the best of the previous novels. I agree with Gopal that someone should make movies out of these books; they would be amazing!

Hope you enjoy it if you decide to read it!

[Gopal]

Latest update from Matt Reilly website is that his newest book is going to be called "The Tournament".

The plot premise has visions of gladiatorial fights with Matt Reilly action already dancing in front of my eyes...

Can't wait for the book to be released...

[Rohan]

The one thing I love the most about this book is just how much Reilly loves to punish his beloved characters.

The fact that this book, much like Scarecrow and to a lesser degree Area 7 and Ice Station, just involves Shane and his comically outnumbered team of hardcases and, in the case of Mother, bloody insane going against armies and terrorists. The fact that, like IS, this books main enemy is actually American is beautiful.

Reilly has also said that the villain, who's name I can't remember right now, will return leaves me anticipating the next one with the same eagerness of a child before Christmas.

Likewise I'm awaiting the next Jack West Jr. book too, I wonder if he'll kill off Zoe considering he murdered my favourite character.

Either way, I couldn't recommend the series more. It's a fantastic read, it's fast paced and if you're anything like me you're going to want to cry when poor Book Sr. meets his end.

[Rohan]

Emma wrote: "Really enjoyed , though the title is a bit naff. This one is as over the top as his others, which is why I love a good Matthew Reilly book, but..."

I like the title. It's to the point, and lets you know right from the beginning (I'm sure it's on the first, or second page too) just who is to be feared in this book. The weakest title was either Hell Island, or just Scarecrow. Though Scarecrow has such an awesome cover.

Then again, they all do.